Dry-pipe valve



A. L LOEPSWGER.

DRY PIPE VALVE,

APPLICATION mm ma. 28, ms.

:1 l 1 9g 1 Q fatenmfi Apr. 4, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET h f Patented Apr. 4, 1922,

?. SHI:EISSHEET 2.

0 J m Q? ,A W .5. w w v a 1 A 1 A. J. LOEPSINGER.

DRY PIPE VALVE.

APPLICATION man FEB. 28, 1918.

3'. LOEPSING-ER, OF PROVIDENCE, RHOIDE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL EXTHIG'UISHER GOKPANY, OF NEW YORK. N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW roan,

DRY-EIPE VALVE.

Specification of ietter's Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

Application filed February 28, 1918. Serial No. 219,572.

To all r/lomif may concern Be it known that I, Annular J. Lour- SINGER. of the citv and county of Providence;

and State of Rliode island. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dry-Pipe Valves: and I do hereby declare the following speciticatioin taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part Off the same. to be a full, clear; and exact description thereof.

Theinventiou relates to improvements in V -parts hereinafter described and more particularly set forth in the claims. In describing the invention in detail reference wilibe hadto the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dry-pipe valve embodying my novel improvements and showing the valve in open position.

Fig. 2 is a Similar view showing the valve in closed position.

Fig-;. 3 is fragmentary sectional view showing a modified construction o1 the dripvaive.

Fig. 4 is a detail view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represent the valve-casing which is provided with an inlet opening 2, adapted to communicate with .a water supply pipe, and an outlet opening adapted to communicate with the riser of a'sprinkler system. The inlet opening is provided with a valve-seat i for the watervalve 5 and the casing is provided upon its interior with an angularly arranged valveseat 6 for the air-valve 7.

The ir-valve T is arranged at an angle to 3 wan-valve 5', and is carried by a pair swinging arms 8, which are pivoted at one end to the valve-casing by a pivot-pin 9 and the other ends oi which are secured to theiiir-valve by a pin 10. Said arms 8 are also secured to the air-valve T intermediate their ends by bolts 11 extending through lugs 12. The air-valve T is preferably provided with an annular lip 13 of flexible or yielding material, which may be secured to the body of said air-valve by screws 14-, said lip 13 constituting thepart which seats upon the valve-seat (3.

The body of the air-valve is made/of irregular shape, the central portion thereof elitending horizontally and substantially parallel with the water-valve, Screwed into the bottom of this horizontal portion 15 is a cup or socket 16 which receives correspondingly curved projection or ball 17 formed upon the top of the water-valve. Surrounding this ball portion of the watervalve is an annular boss or projection 18,

and an annular space 19 between the boss and Said ball portion, and into the top of this annular boss is screwed a ring 24). the inner portion of which overlies a flange 2h formed on the bottom of the cup or socket to. As will be seen, the above construction not only enables the water-valve -and air-valve to be readily'and properly assembled, but also provides a rockingconnection between said valves and thereby facilitates the proper seating of the water-valve.

The valve casing 1 is provided with a hand-hole cover 22, through which the valve structure may be inserted in, or removed from the valve casing and with an opening 23 in alineinent with the inclined air-valve seat for use in grinding said seat. The opening 23 is closed by a suitable plug 24. A drip opening 25 communicates with the intermediate chamber 26 between the two valvefseats for the purpose of taking care of leakage past either the water- 'alve or the air-valve, said drip opening being provided with a drip-valve 27, as shown. I

Said drip-valve '27'is adj ustably mounted in the bottom of \\"eigl1t.28,by means of the screwthreaded stem 29. The weight 28 is mounted in slidablc engagement with the valve-casing by means'ot' an arm 30 secured to the outer side of said weight which is mounted to slide in a guideway 31 secured upon the inside of the casing, as; shown in Fig. 4. Secured upon the inner side of the weight 28 is a latch-member 32 which is ar- 37imtil the latch members 32 and 33 engaged so as to permit the valves to close ranged and adapted to cooperate with a second latch-member 33 secured to. or formed upon, the air-valve T, for the purpose of. holding the valve structure in open position and preventing itfrom accidentally closing again. after it has once opened, or partially opened;

For this purpose the lilti'll-lnllllkfl' 32 is provided with. a vertical side portion 34 and a beveled bottom portion 35, while the second latch inember il is provided nitham'el' tical siile-portioniilti and a horizontal top portion 37. When the valves are in closed position. the beveled bottom portion 35 of the latch-member 32will'rest upon the outer edge of-the top portion 37 of the latch meniber 33, and the drip-valve 27 will be held in.

open position, all as shown in Fig. 2.

When said valves are moved to open post tion, the latch-member 33 will slide along the beveled bottom portion 35 of the latch melnber- 32 until it moves out of engagement therewith, whereupon the latch-weight 28 will. drop downward and close the drip-valve 27, and also move the latch-member-32 into the position shown in Fig. l, with its vertical side 34 engaging the vertical side 36 of the latch-member 33. thereby serving to latch the valves in their open position and-to prevent their being accidentally closed. The dripvalve 27 is provided with a downwardly extending fingenpiece 37 which can be reached through an openin 38, in the top of the drip-pi 'ae'ilil, and the latch can be reset by simply pressing'upward.on the finger-piiecc are upon their respective v Fi 3 shows a modified construction in whic a loose connection is provided between the drip-valveand the latclrweight to obviate any injury to the drip-valve or its scat caused by the hammering: action between. the drip-valve and its seat when'said drip-valve is closed by the tall of the latch-weight In said modification the drip-valve comprises a screw-threaded valve stem 29 which is adjustahly mounted in the latch-weight 28 and a valvefl'? having an upward extension pro vided at its free end with e rounded head 40 loosely mounted in a socket 41 formed in the valve stem 29". The rounded head 4-0 is held in the socket 4:1; by means of a bushing 42- scre'wed therein. lVith thisconstruction. it will be seen. that, while the falloi' the latch weight 28 will serveto' move the drip valve 27 toward its seat, the downward movement of the weight will be arrested just be forethe drip valve reaehesits and so that the final seating of the dripyalve will be effected by the water pressure acting thereon. The. downward movement of the latch-weight 28' is arrested by a frame or.

on e 43 surrounding the drip opening 25, this modified construction being such that tor-waive and air-valve a removable socl the water pressure will have access to the top of the drip valve.

'ith the above described construction it will be seen that. by reason of the fact that the latch and drip-valve are connertedtogcther. they will both operate simultaneouslywhen the valve opens and Further more that the latch weight will assist in closing: the dripnalve should said dripvalve have become stuck or otherwise obstructed in its movement. It will also be seen that the latch may be easily and quickly ing. any portion of the .valve casing. It sill be understoodthat I do not wish to; mit myself" to the exact construction and arrangementof parts here- ,inhefore described as various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention {is set forth in the claims.

It will also be seen that with my novel construction and connection hetweenthe s reset without rein:

to operate on said water and airadapted V the dripvalves to latch them open when valve operates.

3. A drypipe velvecomprisin'g e casing, a water-valve and an tir-m1v@.\v'u11.' seats therefor. a drip-valve, closing means there for. and a. latch connected to said drip-valve closing; means and actuated thereby to hold one of the other valves open.

therefor, a drip-valve. and closing intons therefor comprising a hitch arranged and t. A dry-pipe valve eo'rnprisinga casing:

with water and air valves therein; n drip valve. normally open when the air and water valves are closed; closing means for the di'ip-'valve, additional tothe closing effect of its own weight and resistance to time of water; and means whereby said chi-sing; means is held in restraint hythe closed other valves, and is released to cio i dri r i tiveiy by the openi oi the valves.

Adry-pipe valve comprising a casing,

a water-valve and an sir-valve with seats therefor, a weight slidably mounted upon the interior of said casing, and adrip-valve and latch carried by said weight.

6. A dry-pipe .valve comprising a casing. a water-valve andan. air-valve with seats therefor, a latch-member carried by said air-valve, a weight slidablvmounted within said casing, and a latch-member and drip valve carried by said weight.

7. A drypipe valve comprising a casing, a water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, a weight slidably mounted within said casing, and a drip-valve adjustably' mounted in said weight.

8. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing, a water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, a weight slidably mounted within said casing and a latcl1-member and a dripvalve carried by said weight, said latchmember being provided with a tapered portion arranged and adapted to engage the air-valve when it is in closed position.

9. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing, a water-valve and an air valve with seats therefor, a weight slidably mounted within said casing, and a latch-member and dripvalve carried by said weight, said latchmember being provided with a tapered portion arranged and adapted to engage said air-valve when it is in closed position and to be moved out of engagement when said air-valve opens.

10. A dry-pipe valve comprisinga casing, a water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, 21 weight slidably mounted within said casing, and latch member and drip-valve carried by said weight, said latch member being irovided with a portion arranged and a apted to be automatically moved into the path of movement of said air-valve when said air-valve opens.

11. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing, a water-valve and an airvalvewith seats therefor, a latch member carried by said airvalve, a weight slidably mounted within said casing, and a second latch-member and dripvalve carried by said weight, said last menoned latch-member having a tapered botm ztion engaging the top of said first latch-member when the air-valve is in closed position and having a. vertical side-portion arranged to be engaged by a corresponding vertical side-portion upon said first mentioned latch-member when said air-valve moves toward closed position.

12. A dry pipe valve comprising a casing};

a water-valve and a coacting air valve, one of said valves having a bowlv member and the other having a hall with surrounding ring, adapted respectively to engage ;'the inner side and the outer side of the bowl, whereby the two valves are held together with self adjusting bearing.

13. A dry-pipe valve comprising: a casing. a Water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, said air-valve being provided with a removable socket, and said water-valve being provided with a ballprojection formed integral therewith and means for securing said ball-nroiection in said socket.

14. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing, a 'ater- 'alve and an air- "alve with seats theretor. said air-valve being provided with a socket-member secured therein. and said water-valve being provided with an integral ball-member, and adjustable means forsecuring said ball-member in said socket member.

15. A dr v-pipe valve comprising a casing, 21 water-valve and an air-valve with sats therefor, said air-valve bein; provided with a socket-member secured therein. and said water-valve being provided with an integral ball-member and a boss surrounding said ball-member, and a ring-member mounted on said boss and arranged to overlie said socket-member.

16. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing. a water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, said air-valve being provided with a socket-member removably secured therein and having an annular flange upon the terior thereof, and said 'ater-valve being provided with an integral ball-meml'ier and an annular boss surro uiding said ball-member, and a ring-member removably mounted on said boss and overlying the annular flange upon the socket-member.,

17. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casin a water-valve andan illl'fVEllVQ with seats therefor, said air-valve being provided with a socket-member removahly mounted there in and having an annular flange upon the exterior thereof, and said water-valve being provided with an integral hall-member, an annular boss surrounding said ball-member, an annular recess between said boss and ballmemher, and a ring-member adjustahly mounted in said boss and having its inner portion overlying the annular flange upon the socket-member.

18. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing, a-water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, a drip-valve and seat, a weight for moving said, drip-valve to its seat, and a loose connection between said weight and drip-valve.

19. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing, a water-valve and an air-.valve with seats therefor, a drip-valve and seat, a weight for 'moving' said drip-valve to its seat, and means For arresting the movement of said weight before the drip-val ve reaches its seat.

20. A dry-pipe valve comprising" a rasinn a. Water-valve and an air-vaive with seats therefor, a drip opening, a drip-valve and seat, a weight for moving said dripvalve to its seat, and a stop for limiting the movement of said weight in one direction.

21. A dry-pipe valve comprising a. casing, a water-valve and an air-valve with seats therefor, a drip-opening, a. drip-valve and seat, a weight for moving said drip-valve to its seat, and a framosurrounding said drip-opening.

seat, a weightto-r moving said drip-valve to. its seat, and a stop for the weight, assorlated with the drip-valve seat; there being lost motion in the connection between the Weight and the dr1p-valve; and said stop being at a.

.level to stop the weight after the drip'valve has closed and during said lost motion.

23. A dr3' -pipe valve comprising a casing with water and'air valves. a drip valve, and means, connected to the drip valve, arranged and adapted to prevent accidental closing of one of the first said valves.

24. A dry pipe valve comprising a casing with water and air valves, a drip valve, and a latch for one of the first said valves arrnged and adapted to operte' when the drip valve operates.

25. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing with water and air valves, a drip Valve and a latch for one of the first said valves connected to said drip valve. l

so; A 4hv-pipe valve comprising a casing with water and air valves, an intermediate chamber and a drip valve therefrom, com

bined with a latch in the chamber arranged and adapted to operate simultaneously with the drip valve.

27. A dry-pipe valve comprising a easing, with water and air valves and an intermedn ate chamber, combined with a latch for said valves and a drip passage for the chamber ha ving a valve inter-looked with the latch.

28.11 dry-pipe valve eoi'nprising acasing with water and air valves, a drip passage from the space between them, with a valve arranged and adapted to dose automatically, combined with means holding the drip valve open, said means being itself held by the air and water valves when they are closed.

29. A dry-pipe valve comprising a casing with water and air valves, a drip passage from the space between them, with a valvearranged and adapted to close automatically, I

31.}; dry-pipe valve comprisinga casing I with water'and air valves andxintermediate chamber having a vent to atmosphere, com

binetl with means adapted to close the vent on the opening of said valves and means to obstruct the closing ofthe valves after thus being opened; said vent closing means bemg arranged tending to actuate said obstructing means. i

ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER. VVitnesses':

J H. THURSTON, E. E. TANNER. 

